OVERVIEW

ALIVENESS + AYURVEDA: A Journey into Longevity
Join us for a luxurious week of rejuvenation, where you’ll explore the deep connection between body, mind, and spirit for lasting wellness. This retreat blends daily yoga practices with immersive Ayurveda workshops with Dr. Avanti Kumar Singh designed to empower you with ancient wisdom for modern living. Engage in elemental-themed activities and coastal adventures in this stunning region of France, each thoughtfully curated to enhance your vitality and promote longevity. Go inward with time for renewal and let your spirit expand with enriching time together.

Throughout the week, we’ll embrace the five elements as our guide—earth, water, fire, air, and space—to align our inner rhythms with nature’s cycles. From grounding rituals to energizing breathwork, these experiences will serve as the foundation for a transformative journey. Begin with an opening circle to set intentions, and close with a gathering to reflect on newfound insights and practices you can carry forward into daily life.

Below is a glimpse of the unique activities that will support your path toward longevity with this themed itinerary:

EARTH ELEMENT
Grounding Yoga, Guided Nature Meditation Walk, Ayurveda Workshop, Hands-on Earth-based Crafting Session

WATER ELEMENT
Yoga Flow, Coastal Boat Trip, Lunch on Board, Ayurveda Workshop

FIRE (SUN) ELEMENT
Morning Yoga, Daytrip to St Emilion Wineries, Ayurveda Workshop, Fire Ceremony

AIR + ETHER ELEMENTS
Ayurveda Workshop, Spa Treatments, Yoga Nidra + Soundbath

**Please note that this program will be a bit unique from our usual EPM retreats. We will be creating an intimate circle of guests with a focus on the inward personal work in the container of a safe space for everyone to explore, learn, and go within. Although we will still enjoy our usual day trips and cultural outings, this retreat will keep the focus on time to renew and grow, while allowing the outings to just enhance our daily themes with some cultural elements. Please come with an open heart, mind, and spirit and in the right space to allow yourself the space to renew throughout the week.

LOCATION + ACCOMMODATION

On this special retreat, we will have exclusive use of the stunning Villa la Tosca in southwest France on the coast outside of Bordeaux. Nestled on the beach, enveloped in the scent of pine trees, Villa La Tosca offers the ideal setting for a retreat from the noise of the world: a stunning property on 4000m2 of land on the Arcachon Bay. The daily movement of the tides and the natural environment diffuse a quality of ionized air and energy that exist nowhere else.

ARCACHON BAY: SAND DUNES, CHARMING BEACHSIDE TOWNS, NATURE PARKS, LOCAL DINING.

The Arcachon Bay is renowned for its healing and soothing properties for the respiratory system. The villa is located in a culturally rich area, surrounded by nature preservation parks, unique coastal towns in close proximity and near to the Dune du Pyla (Highest sand dune in Europe).

Our time during the retreat will take us around the natural landscapes near the villa, as well as on a boat to explore the unique coastline. Then we’ll venture inland one day to visit the world-famous wine region of Bordeaux getting to explore the wineries around beautiful St Emilion.

CUISINE

Healthful, local food is part of the retreat experience. The food is simple and delicious, using fresh ingredients from the local markets and prepared onsite at our villa. Breakfast is provided at the villa each morning, and our dinners and lunches will be either enjoyed on site or out on our day trips. We will have a private chef for our time at the villa and, besides nourishing meals on-site, we will also enjoy a lunch on board during our private boat day, a couple of wine tastings and lunch out during our day in St Emilion (Bordeaux’s premier wine region), and a cozy local dinner in the village. We’ll even learn some Ayurvedic tips to incorporate into our week, as well as back at home.

*Provided meals are vegetarian with a couple of them having a pescatarian option. There is a lunch where guests are free to eat where they choose, as well as other opportunities on day trips for guests to supplement with extra dishes if they wish. Special allergy and dietary restrictions can also be noted and taken care of.

ACTIVITIES

Guests will not only enjoy the grounds of the Villa La Tosca, but also we’ll be incorporating daily activities both on and off site to add to the full retreat experience. Each day we’ll enjoy yoga and meditation time as well as an Ayurveda workshop. Since our week will be themed with the elements, we will enjoy the first part of the week in the earth element with a Guided Nature Meditation Walk and Hands-on Earth-based Crafting Session. Then we move on to the water element with a Coastal Boat Trip and Lunch on Board to explore the beautiful coastline of this part of France. Next we’ll explore the fire element by participating in an activity that needs sunshine - wine! We’ll have a day trip to the gem of the Bordeaux wine region, St Emilion, for some winery tours and tastings, and close the day with a Fire Ceremony. Finally on our celebration of the air and ether elements, we’ll enjoy spa treatments on site with a special yoga nidra and sound bath healing session.

WELLNESS

In addition to our daily yoga and meditation, you’ll experience transformative Ayurveda workshops, led by Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh, that explore the connection between Ayurvedic principles and longevity. These sessions will introduce you to the essentials of Ayurveda, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to enhance your vitality and well-being.

We’ll begin with “Ayurveda 101,” where you’ll learn the foundational concepts of this holistic system, followed by practical lessons on how to incorporate daily Ayurvedic practices into your life. Each workshop will guide you in aligning your body’s natural rhythms with the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—unlocking their powerful effects on your health and overall longevity. Throughout the week, we’ll gather in serene indoor spaces and beautiful garden settings for hands-on classes, meditations, and immersive workshops that will deepen your understanding of Ayurveda’s holistic approach to longevity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Ayurvedic Foundations:
Understand how Ayurveda contributes to long-lasting health by balancing the body, mind, and spirit with the five elements. You’ll discover how this harmony and these practices improve your health and well-being.

Longevity Switches:
Learn science-backed, Ayurvedic practices that are “longevity switches” for reducing inflammation and enhancing cellular regeneration to extend your health span and support longevity.

Daily Ayurvedic Practices:
You’ll leave with practical Ayurvedic habits, including how to prepare nourishing meals and herbal blends that boost digestion and vitality—easy, sustainable practices that don’t require complicated tests or expensive procedures.

Private Ayurveda Consultation with Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh:

Ahead of the retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a personalized journey to health and longevity with a 90-minute, private virtual consultation. This comprehensive Ayurveda assessment will help define your health goals, whether it’s boosting energy, improving digestion, enhancing sleep, or balancing your mind and body. You’ll receive a detailed summary outlining your unique mind-body constitution, digestive capacity, current imbalances, and toxic load. In addition you’ll receive recommendations to guide you toward long-lasting health and vitality using Ayurveda.

DR. AVANTI KUMAR SINGH

Ayurveda Meets Modern Medicine - Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh is a physician, wellness expert, and the host of The Healing Catalyst podcast. With nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Avanti harnesses her training in Western medicine and the ancestral wisdom of her Ayurvedic upbringing to guide people toward balanced, vibrant health. She empowers individuals to harness their own healing potential through accessible, sustainable practices. Her approach bridges the gap between Western and Eastern medicine, helping people lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Avanti’s work has been featured in the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, Well + Good, goop, and mindbodygreen. She has spoken at Fortune 500 companies, elite academic institutions, and leading medical conferences. Additionally, she has served as co-lead facilitator for the Faculty Scholars Program in Integrative Healthcare at Northwestern’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Avanti is also a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and Ayurvedic Chef.

Her expertise and insights continue to reach global audiences through her books, The Health Catalyst and her upcoming release, The Longevity Formula: Ayurvedic Principles to Reduce Inflammation, Increase Cellular Repair & Live with Vitality (December 2024).

ERIN LEWIS

EatPrayMove founder, has practiced yoga since 1998 and has trained in various disciplines from Ashtanga, the Rocket series, core power yoga, as well as the Strala method, and also incorporates practices from the yin, restorative, and yoga nidra styles as well. Having taught in studios in Florida, New York City, and Florence, Italy, Erin has also led thousands of guests around the world for over 13 years on EPM yoga retreats. She continues to evolve in her personal practice which naturally makes its way through her teaching. She loves sharing not only the asana (movement) limb of yoga with others, but also the many other facets which lead to life-changing shifts in our daily habits. Throughout the years she has deepened her study with ongoing education and certifications and finds there to be truth in what Sri K Pattabhi Jois famously stated: "Practice, and all is coming." She’s been blessed throughout her yoga practice to be surrounded by beautiful teachers who grow with their students, adjust lovingly, and practice what they teach...and continues to strive to be such a facilitator of yoga herself.

*Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

WHAT PAST GUESTS ARE SAYING

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 Days / 5 Nights (Sep 14-19, 2025)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $3995 (shared room*) + single room supplements available

• Deposit to hold space = $1500

• Max # Guests = 12
  * Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
  ** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date.
  Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

• Exclusive use of Villa

• Accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Welcome Aperitif Reception + Orientation

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Daily yoga / meditation classes

• Daily Ayurveda workshops

• Use of estate premises (gardens, trails, pool, etc.)

• Tour guide on various day trips

• Guided nature meditation walk

• Private coastal boat trip

• Lunch on board private boat

• Daytrip to St Emilion Bordeaux wine region

• Winery visits with tour + tastings

• Evening fire ceremony

• Crafting class

• Visit and dinner in local village

• On-site spa treatment day

• Soundbath + Yoga Nidra session

• Taxes

* airfare not included
** meals are vegetarian and some pescatarian are offered. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated
***activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances

LOCATION / TRAVEL:

The villa is located in the South West of France, 40 minutes from the city of Bordeaux in the town of Lanton, in the heart of the Arcachon Bay, where the garden gates open right up onto the beach. Close to the towns of Cap Ferret and Arcachon. 

Airport: Bordeaux Mérignac airport (BOD) is about 35min from the villa and reachable by taxi.
Train station: Bordeaux St Jean TGV station (40min) which offers connections to Paris in 2.5hrs. Biganos Facture train station (20min). Both easily accessible by taxi.

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Yoga mats and props are provided

• Bathing suit (on-site pool, boat day, etc)

• Layers of clothing for weather changes

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Plug adaptors / converters

• Journal